Well here's my problem. I currently have a 29 gal and am going to upgrade to either a 60 or 80 gal. They have the same exact footprint the only difference is height. The 60 will run me $120 and the 80 will be $190. There is a bit of a budget issue since I will be needing to get a protein skimmer. The fish I will be keeping are a Huma-huma Trigger and fish that will get along with it. So, my question basically is, is it worth the extra money for the 80, especially since all the extra size is in the height? I just don't think I will be able to keep that many more fish since thay will have to be aggressive and will need "territories" ahich you don't really get with a tank that is only taller. Please help me in my decision!

I say, skimp on the fish and get the bigger tank. Just kidding. Save for an extra month or two and get the bigger tank and the skimmer. Look for deals on the skimmer. Spend the extra on the tank and then get the skimmer when you can afford it before you set up the tank.

In summary, if you have the space for the tank, get it- you'll want it later. IMHO anyways. I wish I started with a bigger tank.

I agree with the last posts. I wish that I would have gotten a bigger tank at the get go. I say just save a little longer.......I know that the temptation is getting big but trust me it will be worth it in the long run.

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LIVE LOUD AND PLAY HARD CAUSE THERE IS NO FINISH LINE.

The surface area of the tank is more important than height as atari said. All the bad gasses have to vaporize out and oxygen comes in through the water surface. So a 60 gallon tall will have a lower sustainable bio-load than a 60 shallow with a greater surface area. And some fish do require the greater swimming space to be happy (like tangs).

I agree that the extra height on that size tank may not be worth it. I went with the 225 gallon as opposed to a 180 to get the extra viewing area (since it is built into the wall) but I figured with the 6' length of the tank there was plenty of surface area. If I were you I would buy the 60 and buy a good skimmer. This is a very hard hobby to have a budget in. At least one that you can stick to IME